Friday, October 02, 2009

What Inspires You?

We've been talking a lot at practice this week. Well...actually we always talk a lot. Or at least the kids talk a lot. Sometimes I can't hear myself think. Oh my, do they talk a lot.
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Where was I...
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Right. This week at practice.
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I've been trying to figure out how to light a fire under this group of kids. Make them faster, more focused, inspire them.
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So I asked them. "What inspires you?"
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The answers were interesting. And somewhat predictable. I wasn't really surprised by any of the answers.
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Music. Stories of triumph over adversity. Competition. Inner drive.
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But still. I'm at a loss. How do I inspire them? I want them to want to be better. I want them to be the team I see in them. The team I can't quite get to.
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I'm frustrated. They are frustrated. We are not achieving the speed we're capable of. We are making dumb mistakes.
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What inspires you? Were you ever really jazzed by a team experience? Tell me about it...
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Please.

6 comments:

Mom/Katie said...

How about taking a trip to a few of the college rowing teams practices, or having a really awesome guest coach or accomplished college rower come in to work with them. Sometimes people will hear just what you have been telling them over and over, but when it comes from someone different, it finally takes hold.
Little improvements that are praised can sometimes be something to build on. What do I know anyhow.
Mom

MUD said...

Have you tried to get them to internally visualize what a perfect row would be? Have them close their eyes and listen as you tell them to "see" what you tell them. Describe the perfect day on the water and the perfect row. Describe how it felt, what you smelled, what your boidy did and how the horn sounds at the end of a perfect row. I would time this with a stop watch and end with a boat horn. I have even seen this done with each person being given a piece of cinnamon gum to enhance the memory. Then on race day make sure they have some on hand to start the event. MUD

MUD said...

PS, The navy Seals would use some kind of motion training when they have the kids describe what their best feels like. Throwing a bean bag to each other, passing a baton as the group shares. Sitting a circle and burning incence as they share. Keep trying something will work. MUD

Mike said...

This guy is a true inspiration:

http://www.istanbultea.typepad.com/

Kathy said...

Try some team building activities away from the water.

As far as the competition...I don't believe everyone has the inner desire to compete. Some of us are happy to sit in a lawn chair watching others. :)

Amy said...

I like Kay Kay's idea. Maybe let them row with some KU rowers. Sometimes hearing the same thing from someone else helps. If that doesn't work you can always literally light a fire under them. That would speed me up;)